Church of St Peter, Bridge, Kent
Address
Church of St Peter, High Street, Bridge, Canterbury CT4 5ARRecommended by
Highlight
Tom’s Window - a memorial to Tom Gowrie Stewart commissioned by his parents, Michael and Elizabeth StewartArtist, maker and date
Designed and made by Grace Ayson at The Cathedral Studios, Canterbury, 2019Reason for highlighting
I have come to know more about Grace Ayson’s work recently, having belatedly realised that she collaborated with artists Hughie O’Donoghue in 2018 and Emma Lindsey in 2014 for two stunning works for the North Cloister at Canterbury Cathedral. Both are extremely painterly in conception and translation and exemplify for me the type of work I love, and a healthy and vibrant collaborative relationship between artist and stained-glass artist.
As a memorial window celebrating and remembering the life of a young infant, it reminds me of the connection with people that underpins all of art in general and commissioned glass works specifically. The joyful rainbow, symbol of hope, spills its glorious and mysterious colour into the church interior from a framework of intimate local landscapes, flora and fauna and manages to be at once both eternal and everyday – that astounding mix that stained glass manages to encompass and which I desire in stained glass. I want my heart, mind and soul to be touched – not just the rush of emotions that pure coloured light can evoke, nor a dry but thrilling recognition of narrative or theme alone but instead the alchemic merging of the two which in turn creates the mysterious sense of a world beyond my senses, a world of the spirit where love endures.
Artist/maker notes
Grace Ayson developed her extensive knowledge of traditional and modern techniques and materials gained from fifteen years’ experience as a stained glass conservator at the highly regarded Cathedral Studios, at Canterbury Cathedral. She now has her own studio in Ramsgate, where she combines striking modern draughtsmanship with traditional craft and technique.
Source: Grace Ayson – Art & Glass Studio
Other comments
The design and the extraordinary skill of the artist, Grace Ayson, has produced a beautifully detailed window which is both a wonderful tribute to Tom and a blessing and encouragement to others.”
-The Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury